Swiveling brake caster



Jan. 9, 1945;

Filed Jan.' 2, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan 9, 1945. w. H. NOEL-rms Erm. 2,356,927

SWIVELING BRAKE CASTER Fileduan. 2, 194:5 2 Sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS. WML/fm h'. Non MVG.

said.` l -i I i ,Fig 4 is a perspective view` of the camming ing member shown in 1i'i`g 5.`

In Figs. I to` 3f of tluefdrawings i indicates Patented Jan; 9, 1945 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICEN V SWIVELINE ons'rEn William H. `Noelting and Harry T. eminem,"

Evansville,` Ind., assgnorsto Faultless Caster,` i b Corporation, Evansville, Ind., a corporation `Application.Tanuny `2, 1943, serial` No. 471,196

` (c1. 1ra-35) Claims.

y This invention relates `to, a swiveling caster and more particularly` to an addition in the form` i of a brake. l

Thechief object lof*` this invention is to pr0 "vide a brake structure whichwill stop rotation of the caster wheel and stop swiveling of the caster unit simultaneously.

'rhechief feature of the invention consiste in providing a dual clamp forengaging` the sup` port `for anchoring the i caster `thereto against swiveling and simultaneously clamping the wheel vagainst rotation for completefimmobilization of the caster structure. l

i Another feature of the invention, as suggestedI hereinbefore, is theformation of such a brake` arrangement that the same` is"` of` attachment character, permitting application of the attachment to a conventional caster of the swiveling type.`

` Other objects and features of the invention will be set forthmore fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understoodfrom the accompanying drawings "and the the inoperative position.

Fig.` 2, is` a top plan view of the aforesaid.

3 is a side elevational View of the aforelevershown in Figs. I `to `3. l

Fig. 5 isa side elevational view of a modified form of the invention. Fig. 6 isk a perspective view `ofthecamming lever shown in Fig. 5. i f

Fig. 7 isxa perspective. viewrofthevwheel brakther tube of a load structure andI within the same is` found the pintle II of a swiveling caster. `One conventional method `of retaining i the caster structure to the tube is by means .ofl the `split band I2,` split atA I3 and seatedin a recess or about the axle axis. i

channel I 4 `in the pintle near the top thereof, Y

`Also the pintle may be permanently connected to `the load wherever desired. Allsuch connections i which` band is outwardly expansible to frictionally` are well `known in thegcaster art and require no further explanation nor any illustration thereof.

A `cap or load plate I5 is icentrally apertured i and the pintle, passes therethrough. `This `load plate includes adepending skirt portion I5a by which there is coniinedanti-friction elements I6 in` theform of balls carried by a cupplate I1, which is also centrally apertured, thatfmay be rigid with theyoke :or horn having the upper circular portion `I8 with `depending ears I9 that terminate 1in parallel ends 20 apertured as at 2| to receive an axle 22 upon which is mounted a wheel structure having two side plates 23,` a" treadportion 24 `and two cone arrangements, `or

the like, 25.`

The central;` portion `ofthe horn `is centrally of the horn, there may be included a second`anti Since all of the aforesaid is con-1 ventional caster construction, no further description or illustration thereof is believed necessary.

friction series.

eXceptto state that when the pintle is inserted in thetube, the end of thesamebears on the o l upper face of the plate I5 `and the pintle and the connected caster cannot drop out of the tube, and normally the plate lower retaining member, last mentioned, and not illustrated. and the pintle do not rotate relative to the tube.` However, thecup, horn, wheeland axle do swivel about In certain constructions. such as large scaifolds and the like, it is necessary that the caster struc-` ture be immobilized relative to the` tube Iii.

`Heretoforey this has been effected broadly byl braking actionthat is, a brake bears upon the `periphery of the plate, before mentioned,` and bears upon the periphery `of the wheel. This construction `has the disadvantage of wearing i fupon the caster tread or Wheel surface with the `result that `after slight use, ythis surface is not' round and true but is cupped, marred and otherwise deformed so that such a scaffold can `.only be moved with considerable difficulty` dueto the` a faultyy formation of the wheelltread surface.

The' present invention, therefore, contemplates broadly, the same fundamental operation, to

wit, prevention of caster swiveling and prevention of wheel rotation without deforming, marring, or the like, any of the moving parts.

Referring vmore specifically to the preferred form of the invention herein illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 as an attachment, although the same need not necessarily be so fabricated, it will be observed that a pair of elongated uprights or support members 3l) are provided which for reenforcement, are provided rwith vertically directed rib means A3 l.

The lower ends of these members are slightly offset angularly as at 32 and since the junction a between the flat portion 20 and the body or arcuate portion i9 of the ear is in effect an abutment arrangement, the edge 32u of the upright or support member 30 may cooperate therewith for locating the support member 3U, as shown in Fig. 3.

'Inasmuch as a cone type support is utilized and interposed between the ear ends 20 and the wheel, it is quite apparent that axle pressure on the ears has no effect o-n wheel rotation. Accordingly, therefore, the support members Si! apertured as at 33, have the axle 22 extended therethrough and the two uprights arey rigidly clamped in proper position to the ears of the yoke by suitable means, such as the head 3d and the nut 35 on the axle `portion 22. This means the uprights are rigid with the yoke and swivel therewith. The uprights at their upper end are apertured as at 36.

A member 31 which is slightly reduced at opposite ends forming shoulders 38 has its ends seated in the apertures 3S. This member may have the reduced ends 39 and mount nuts 4U, and when the nuts are drawn tight, it will be apparent that there is provided a circular bearing between the two supports, which is rigid with the yoke and this bearing has a longitudinal axis appreciably above the wheel axis and offset relative to the pintle axis to a greater degree than the wheel axis is offset therefrom.

From the foregoing, therefore, it will be quite clear that a standard swiveling caster may be provided with an upright or support arrangement as herein disclosed and by merely utilizing a longer wheel axle.

The clamping construction includes two spaced, generally angle shaped, clamping levers mounted at their vertices upon the aforementioned overhead support 3l. Also mounted on the overhead support 31 and between these two angle members is the operating lever di, see Fig. 4. This operating lever hastwo divergingly directed opposed faces 42 which are substantially circular in side elevation and the two resulting spaced apart terminations provide a stop shoulder, the two opposed shoulders being in alignment and in effect forming faces lying in a radial-plane of the central portion of the operating lever. `These faces are designated by the numeral 43.

There is provided, as stated, a pair of angularlike clamping members which are apertured coincident with their vertex as at M. One arm portion is designated by the numeral 45, this being the upper portion. The depending arm portion is designated by the numeral 46. The central or hub portion lll, which is apertured at i4 for mounting on the support member 31, has a lcomplementary cam face d8 and this cam face is circular, as it were, and the ends are joined by a face t9 which is radially directed and which lies in a substantially vertical plane and at the lower portion of the central portion of the angle lever and is adapted for engagement by the cooperating shoulder t3, thereby limiting the counterclockwise tilting of the operating lever 4l and preventing movement beyond that shown in Fig. 3.

Each depending portion B6 of the angular member intermediate the hub portion 41 and the lower end, includes an -outwardly directed, arcu ate enlargement 46d which may be reenforced by ribbing 50, if desired. The lower end of the de pending arm portion t6 is provided withV an inwardly directed flat face 5l that is juxtapositioned relative to the adjacent plate portion 23 of the wheel 2li. The arcuate enlargement 46a bears on the inside face of the upright support member 3@ as at 52. This is a fulcrum for this lever member.

When the angle member is moved from what may be termed the median position at the hub portion toward its adjacent support member, since the depending portion is* fulcrumed at 52, the bearing face tl of necessity moves inwardly toward the wheel and engages the side plate 23 thereof. Simultaneous movement outwardly, therefore, of the hub portions l1 of the angle members causes simultaneous inward Vmovement of the faces 5l so that the wheel is clamped therebetween and held against rotation. There, therefore, is no wear on the tread of the wheel, thereby leaving it at all times smooth, uncupped and un- -marred, except such deformation as may occurV incident to normal use of a caster.

The foregoing constitutes the wheel clamping portion of the attachment. VReference now will be had to.the arrangement for prevention of caster swiveling and for convenience only, the same is so arranged to grip the tubular leg that receives the pintle. The upper leg 4'5 of each angular lever is provided with an arched portion 55 suitably reenforced as at 5t and the free end of said portion d5 terminates in a partially cylindrical formation 5l., which is connected to intermediate portion 55 by the reenforcing rib arrangement 58.

This reenforcing rib arrangement is enlarged vertically as at 59 and the two upper portions of the angle levers are apertured as at 60. A bolt 6| extends therethrough and suitable ymeans in the form of a head 62, an adjusting nut 63 and locknut t4 connects the two upper portions 45 of `the angle levers together in predetermined relation. Since` the outside diameter of the tubular leg I0 may vary, this adjustment is provided so that the two substantially semi-cylindrical portions 5l may be closely positioned in opposed relation about the tubular leg without engaging same, at least if any engagement is present, it is of non-clamping character.

When the two hub or central portions of the angle levers areA caused to separate through the cam action of the operating lever, the upper portion fulcrums on the retainers of the connecting member 6l and the semi-cylindrical portions 51 moves 'toward the tube lll. Since as stated, both hubs are caused to separate simultaneously and t-o a like degree, bothv semi-cylindrical portions 5? are caused to approach each other simultaneously and to a like degree and thus ,the 'tube lil'is clamped therebetween and without any tilting of the entire arrangement from a vertical plane, including the operating lever. This elminiates all undesired strains.

When the operating lever is moved clockwise downwardly, see Fig. 3, so that its free end isv tion is identical.

a Whenever itis desired, the support members maybe angular, in which event-a Wing portion will extend inwardly` from theripper` endl toward sling portion or the; ,caster is here` against swiveling as' previouslyvdescribed'.

IfIereintheV Wheel1 braking is effected simultaneously by operation of `member MI, see Figsy and` 6. As shown in Eig. 6, thelever |4| carries a cam portion |80 depending andprojecting outthe castel-"pintle andthese-` may `be suitalnly` joinedtogether or if sulii'ciently reenforced, may s `be so rigid as to preventany tendencyto` separate when `engagedl by the arcuate outer face of' the l portion 55. `'I'liis is'vmerely a substitute fulcrum ina modified form or the invention. l The opera:-

Whenever it isdesired to clamp the" plate l 5i and not' the tube l0, it will be quite apparent that the semi-cylindrical portions 51' may be so positioned that they will not engage the tube but; depending portions thereon will engage oppositesides. of

the skirt portion |`5a of the plate and thus clampingly engage the plate and immobili'ze the caster so as to prevent swiveling. This is a second modification that incorporates the basic `principle of twoangle levers; each arm of' which is ful- `cru1ned intermediate `its ends` and the free' end isl of: clam-p engaging character and the common hub portion is movable through a: cam arrangement, the two ,angl'et levers being mounted in `opposed relation with `a `single operatingcam therebetween for effecting separation movement of the hub to insure clamping action by the ful,-

crurned arms, fulcrumed as aforesaid.`

It is not believed' necessary having clearly described the construction and operation of the preferred form of' the invention, tol illustratethe two other modifications which' are accordingly,

` obvious. l l

`The preferred form of the invention is one `that embodies no springs whatsoever; l 3It consists1 essentially, summarizing, a supportsst'ructure: rigid with the yoke, two angle clamping' leversi` with cam type vertices and" a singular intermediate operating cai-n lever, each armof the angle levers being fulcrurned` intermediate its `ends,`the free `ends being of clamping character andthe common or hub portion being the power movable portion of the lever. i It will `also be apparent that as initially stated herein, the preferred embodiment of the invention may be fabricated as an attachment and only requires the addition of a longer wheel axle for utilization and application to aconventiona'l swiveling caster. The parts are small, few in numberand simple in character and readily lend themselves to quantity production, some partaking of drop forging or malleable casting formation. l l l l Whenever desired in place of an angular lever, two levers may be provided having coaxial hubs, that immediately adjacent the operatingllever having the cooperating camface. In this form. the four leversmust be located and capable of the longitudinal movement required. i

In Fig. 5 there is` illustrated a second embodiment of the invention., Numerals Orf the one hundred series herein indicate parts identical or similar to those ofthe first form and designated by the corresponding primary numerals. Herein the invention is again illustrated as of the attachment type. l l l In thisV form of the invention the attachmentI is mounted on the` tubular leg ll 0 and on the caster wheel axle |22 as before;` When the lever |4|,` see Figs. 5 and 6, is moved clockwise the i portions |51 clamp the tube and since the at tachment is carried yby the wheel axle, the swivwardly from the same between the inclined faces x of said lever. Pivotally mounted in aperture I 52 in the. support member |32 isa braking member or shoe having` stubrshalfts |4611 seated'. in

. the |apertures |52;` This shoe, seeFigs. 5 and 7,

has wheel tread. engagingface |51|` and a cential` upwardly directed cam engageable rib |50. When lever MI is depressed,l cam |00 is rotated and bears upon the` upper face of rib I to `cause the opposite face.. |5| of the brake shoe to engage` the wheel tread, thus preventing caster ,l

wheel rotation. l

.A` leaf `spring may be suitably supported by members` |32 and normally constrain` the shoe upwardly into non-tread engaging position.

Also. a tension spring `could be connected to an ear on: the brake shoe and tol-members |32in non-interfering relation to effect the same result. `Whenever it is not .objectionable` to have the shoe `lightly ride `the wheel tread in wheellrotation,` no spring'need be employed, for` gravity will position the,` shoe` as illustrated in Fig. 4 and` pressure thereof will not be material. Only when the lever Ml is `depressed will the `shoe exert effective braking pressure on the Wheel `.sufficient to stop wheel. rotation and, of course, simultaneously lock the caster against siviveling as` well.

i While the invention has beenrillustrated, and

described in greatdetail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered` as illustrative` and not restrictive in character.,

a The.y several modifications described` herein as `well as others which `will `readily suggestthemselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered te be within the broad .scope of the invention, reference being had to the ,suspended` claims. a

The invention claimed lis; l i .I l. In a swiveling caster havinga caster Wheel,`

a hornl and means for attachment to atubular,

load supporting member, the combination of support means rigid with the hornoi such caster and having a pivot and support portion radially l offset from the caster wheel and laterally offset from the swiveling axis of the caster, a cam a type operating lever pivoted on the support means pivot and having opposed `cam faces, and a pair of angular shaped clamping means supported at their vertices by the support means pivot,` said clamping means at their vertices l having cam` faces confronting the lever opposed cam faces for operative engagement therewith, `each angularmeans between an end andthe vertex having a fulcrum bearing portion, that end terminating in a clamping portion, the conthe member, and the, second pair of ends terv minating at opposite sides of the wheel, said lever when pivoted upon the pivot causing relaytive axialmovement of the angular means vertices by reason of cam face engagement and for member and wheel Iclamping by the said angular means. l l

2. A casterv as dened by claim 1 wherein the angular means between the vertex and the said other end vhas an additional fulcrum bearing portion, each additional fulcrum bearing portion having operative bearing upon said support means.

f 3. A caster as deiined by claim 1 wherein fulcrum means is provided independent of .said support means for fulcrum bearing portion engagement.

Il. A caster as defined by claim l wherein fulcrum means is provided independent of said support means for fulcrum bearing portion engagement, and the angular means between the vertex and the said other end has an additional iulcrum 'bearing portion, each additional fulcrurn i bearing portion having operative bearing upon clamping position of the said angular means, and.4

the angular means between the vertex and the said other end has an additional fulcrum bearing portion, each additional fulcrumbearing portion having operative bearing upon said support means.

7. In a swivelng caster having a caster wheel, a horn and means for attachment to a tubular, load supporting member, they combination of support means rigid with the horn of such caster v'and having a pivot and support portion radially' offset from the caster Wheel and laterally oiset from the swivelng axis of the caster, means mounted on the support means and. above the wheel and having a portion for wheel engagement to prevent wheel rotation, other lmeans mounted on the support means and above the horn and having end portions at least partially 5 embracing the member, and a cam type operating lever pivoted on the support means pivot and having opposed cam faces, said other means having cooperating `cam faces confronting said lever, tilting of the camiever effecting prevention of Wheel rotation and yoke swivelng by simultaneously causing the said other means ends to clamp the tubular member and said third mentioned means to pressure engage said wheel.

8. A caster as defined by claim 7 wherein the l5 third and fourth mentioned means are integral and are angularly directed relative to each other. 9. A caster as dened by claim '7 wherein the third mentioned means includes a centrally positioned cam portion,l and the cam type lever includes a cam portion cooperating therewith and between the cam faces. V

10. In a swivelng caster having a caster wheel, a horn having ears straddling same, an axle carried by the horn ears and-rotatably mounting the wheel, and means Afor attachment to a tubular load supporting member including a pivotal connection to the horn, the wheel and horn axes :being offset laterally -of each other, the combination of support means of inverted U- shaped character, straddling the wheel and ears and secured to the latter at the axle and projectingupwardly therefrom and outwardly relative to the attaching means; said support means providing afpivot spaced radially from the axle axis ref mote from thewheel and spaced from the horn swivelng axis, a cam type lever supported by the last mentioned Vpivot, and cam including meansv actuatable by the-lever in the tilting thereof for member and wheel engagement lto prevent wheel rotation and horn swivelng and lcarried by said U-shaped support means. i

W'ILLIAM H. NOELTING.

HARRY T. PROTHERO. f 

